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Jaguars

‘We wanted to go out and make a statement’: Jaguars romp past Waukee

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Thursday's season opener was a smashing success for the Ankeny Centennial wrestlers. The Jaguars recorded eight falls and rolled to a 60-18 victory over visiting Waukee in a non-conference dual meet. "It was a good start for us," said Centennial coach Jay Groth. "We got a pin in the first seven matches--most of them in the first period, so that was … [Read more...] about ‘We wanted to go out and make a statement’: Jaguars romp past Waukee

‘It was a tough day for both teams’: Ankeny bowlers tumble to Ottumwa

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The Ankeny bowling teams ran into a tough opponent on Thursday. It didn't help that Ottumwa was bowling on its home lanes at Champion Bowl. The Bulldogs easily defeated Ankeny in both the boys' and girls' meets. The Hawks are now 1-1 on the season, while the Hawkettes fell to 0-2. "It was a tough day for both teams," said Ankeny coach Lane … [Read more...] about ‘It was a tough day for both teams’: Ankeny bowlers tumble to Ottumwa

‘Hungry’ Hawk swimmers roll to victory at Roosevelt despite Swanepoel’s absence

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Ankeny boys' swimming coach Justin Crouch feels a lot better about his team following the Hawks' 139-31 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference dual meet on Tuesday. Ankeny won all 11 events and swept the top three places in seven of the eight individual races. "Going into this meet, I knew we had a lot of guys competing for varsity spots," … [Read more...] about ‘Hungry’ Hawk swimmers roll to victory at Roosevelt despite Swanepoel’s absence

‘We’ve got to learn from it and move on’: Jaguars lose big lead, fall to S.E. Polk

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Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball coach Bob Fontana has won a lot of big games in his career. Tuesday's season-opening contest against visiting Southeast Polk may have been one of his most disappointing losses. The Jaguars built a 42-27 lead in the second half and still held a nine-point lead after three quarters before Southeast Polk opened the final … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got to learn from it and move on’: Jaguars lose big lead, fall to S.E. Polk

Jaguars shut down Dailey, lead from start to finish in victory over No. 5 S.E. Polk

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team struggled at the free-throw line during Tuesday's game against visiting Southeast Polk, making just 16-of-29 attempts. But the way the Jaguars were defending, it didn't matter. Ninth-ranked Centennial led from start to finish and posted a 45-38 victory over the No. 5 Rams. The Jaguars improved to 3-0 on the … [Read more...] about Jaguars shut down Dailey, lead from start to finish in victory over No. 5 S.E. Polk

‘It should be a fun year’: Jaguars boast 6 returning state qualifiers

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Thursday will be a special night for Ankeny Centennial wrestling coach Jay Groth. The Jaguars will open their season by hosting a dual meet against Waukee. "It will be the first time in my career that I will face a former wrestler of mine as a head coach," said Groth. "John Meeks wrestled at Des Moines Roosevelt when I was coaching there (and was a … [Read more...] about ‘It should be a fun year’: Jaguars boast 6 returning state qualifiers

Jaguars make nine 3-pointers, cruise to 42-point victory at Urbandale

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The ball was falling through the hoop on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team. The ninth-ranked Jaguars found their shooting stroke in a 58-16 victory at Urbandale. They raised their record to 2-0 on the season, while the J-Hawks dropped to 0-2. "We shot the ball well," said Centennial coach Scott DeJong. "We hadn't done that in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars make nine 3-pointers, cruise to 42-point victory at Urbandale

‘Our seniors need to step up and lead’: Jaguars to lean on trio of returnees

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It's going to be a challenge for the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team to win a third consecutive conference title. The Jaguars posted a 14-5 record a year ago and captured the CIML Iowa Conference crown, but all-state guard Jaron Crews and three other starters have graduated. Ames, which posted a 57-37 victory over Centennial in a Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘Our seniors need to step up and lead’: Jaguars to lean on trio of returnees

Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup

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The Ankeny bowling teams opened the season on Tuesday by splitting a matchup against visiting Dowling Catholic at Great Escape. The Ankeny boys' squad edged the Maroons by a score of 2,328 to 2,289. Dowling won the girls' contest by a score of 1,865 to 1,435. "It was a hard-fought victory for the boys' team as it came down (the last three) frames of … [Read more...] about Hawk bowlers edge Dowling in season opener; Maroons win girls’ matchup

Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational

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Tuesday's Ankeny Sprint Invitational gave the Ankeny boys' swimming team an early chance to see how the Hawks stack up against some of the state's top squads. Defending state champion Waukee won the six-team meet with 473 points. Valley placed second with 405 points, followed by Ankeny with 373. "There definitely was a lot of fast swimming in the pool … [Read more...] about Hawk tankers place 3rd behind Waukee, Valley at Ankeny Sprint Invitational

‘We were happy to get out of there’: Jaguars win opener over improved North

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A matchup against Des Moines North used to be an easy win for most girls' basketball teams in the CIML. Ankeny Centennial found out on Tuesday in its season opener that this year's version of the Polar Bears is different. The ninth-ranked Jaguars pulled away in the second half for a 44-30 road victory, but North showed that it's going to be a lot more … [Read more...] about ‘We were happy to get out of there’: Jaguars win opener over improved North

Centennial’s Mirembe signs letter of intent to play volleyball at DMACC

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Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Monica Mirembe has signed a letter of intent with DMACC (Boone). Mirembe said she looked at some other schools before picking the Bears. "It was not very hard for me to decide I wanted to go there," Mirembe said. "They have a great nursing program and a welcoming and great environment and people on that … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Mirembe signs letter of intent to play volleyball at DMACC

Centennial Digital Network to live stream all Jaguars’ home events this winter

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Fans of the Ankeny Centennial athletic teams will be able to watch all of the home events this winter from the comfort of their own homes. Centennial parent Andy Pollock will be live streaming all of the home girls' basketball, boys' basketball and wrestling events through Facebook. Coverage will begin with the basketball doubleheader against Southeast … [Read more...] about Centennial Digital Network to live stream all Jaguars’ home events this winter

Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA

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Thirteen Ankeny football players have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Two Ankeny Centennial standouts were also honored. The Hawks, who posted a 10-3 record and earned a runner-up finish in Class 5A, placed seven players on the … [Read more...] about Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA

Challenging season ahead for Richtsmeier, Ankeny bowling teams

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Ankeny bowling coach Lane Richtsmeier is still trying to determine his lineups for Tuesday's season opener against visiting Dowling Catholic at Great Escape. Right now, Richtsmeier doesn't have enough female bowlers for a full girls' varsity squad. "We have 27 total kids out but only four girls at the moment--with some possible late arrivals, hopefully … [Read more...] about Challenging season ahead for Richtsmeier, Ankeny bowling teams

No. 9 Jaguars return experienced guards, add talented post player from Ames

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Some high school basketball teams are fortunate to have two good ballhandlers. The Ankeny Centennial girls' squad is blessed to have four veteran guards who can share the ballhandling duties. Seniors Cleao Murray and Elle Street along with juniors Makenna Clark and Averi Porter will form the nucleus of this year's roster. "Those four are the core of … [Read more...] about No. 9 Jaguars return experienced guards, add talented post player from Ames

Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, including a pair of all-Americans

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The cupboard is hardly bare, but the Ankeny boys' swimming team faces what appears to be a rebuilding season this winter. The Hawks have been one of the state's top programs in recent years, capturing a state title in 2019 before two consecutive runner-up finishes. But many of the standouts from those teams are gone, including Trent Frandson, an … [Read more...] about Hawk swimmers return 4 state qualifiers, including a pair of all-Americans

Kadolph, Webb-Tate, Porter earn repeat all-district first-team honors

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The state runner-up Ankeny football team landed eight players on the all-district first team and eight more on the second team. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, had six first-team selections and six second-team picks. The all-district teams were selected by the coaches from the following teams: Ankeny, Centennial, Ames, Marshalltown and Waukee … [Read more...] about Kadolph, Webb-Tate, Porter earn repeat all-district first-team honors

With several key returnees, Centennial girls are 9th in 5A preseason rankings

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball team is No. 9 in Class 5A in the preseason rankings by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars posted a 16-3 record last season and reached the Class 5A semifinals before losing to eventual champion Waukee. They return several key players from that team, including senior guards Cleao Murray and Elle … [Read more...] about With several key returnees, Centennial girls are 9th in 5A preseason rankings